Huskies ground attack overpowers Axemen 35-7 in home opener

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's Huskies running back Malik Williams ran for three touchdowns and contributed 75 of the Huskies 222 team rushing yards, as the Huskies defeated the Acadia Axemen 35-7 on Friday night at Huskies Stadium.

With 1,113 fans in attendance, Saint Mary's Department of Athletics & Recreation celebrated African Nova Scotian Heritage Night, with a pre-game ceremony including an anthem performance from local singer Eriana Willis, and ceremonial kick-off from Huskies alum and former Deputy Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Dwayne Provo, as well as a half-time drumming performance by Sobaz Benjamin and Circle in the Square, and a vendor market hosted by the Black Business Initiative.

On the opening drive of the night, Malik Williams (Ajax, ON) ripped off a 39-yard run to bring the Huskies into Axemen territory.

Quarterback Justin Shibley (Ottawa, ON) was sharp, completing his first three passes for 31 yards, but the opening drive belonged to Williams, as he ran for 48 yards on four carries and scored a two-yard touchdown to open the scoring, with Huskies kicker Adam Johnston (Rothesay, NB) nailing the extra point to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead.

The two teams exchanged punts before the Huskies took over and were able to add to their lead at the end of the first quarter. Shibley hit receiver Joshua Jack (Brampton, ON) for a 45-yard catch, and Williams finished the job with another two-yard touchdown plunge, with Johnston's second PAT making it 14-0 Huskies after the first quarter.

A Johnston rouge, followed by the Axemen conceding the safety pushed the Huskies lead to 17-0, and the Saint Mary's defence continued to make big plays in the second quarter, with safety Ryan Butler (Mississauga, ON) picking off Axemen quarterback Tyran Duval (Abbotsford, BC) and returning it 34 yards into Axemen territory.

Late in the second quarter, the Huskies added to their lead, as Shibley found receiver Chandler Zinck-Marier (Pleasantville, NS) for a 42-yard catch and run touchdown, making it 24-0, which would remain the score heading into halftime.

The Axemen would cut into the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, as quarterback Tyran Duval found receiver Xander Matheson (Grande Prairie, AB) for a 75-yard catch and run touchdown, with kicker Nick Swain (Moncton, NB) converting the extra point to cut the lead to 24-7.

The Huskies were able to answer thanks in part to another great pass from Shibley, as he found receiver Kade Smith (Halifax, NS) for a 26-yard gain, before Williams finished off the drive with his third touchdown of the night, putting the home team ahead 31-7.

Later in the fourth quarter, Adam Johnston nailed a 44-yard field goal, before defensive back Lucas Latulippe (Halifax, NS) sealed the win with a late interception, as the Huskies took the contest 35-7 to open their season with a convincing win.

Huskies running back Malik Williams was named Freeman's Little New York Player of the Game, making most of his 10 rushing attempts by gaining 75 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Running backs Reece Wyke (11 attempts for 60 yards), Liam Legge (six attempts for 54 yards) and Nicholas Park (four attempts for 33 yards) got in on the party for a Huskies ground game that averaged 7.2 yards per rush on the night.

Quarterback Justin Shibley completed 12/20 passes for 227 yards, a touchdown, while Allan Young (Halifax, NS) completed 3/7 passes for 57 yards in relief. Six different receivers caught at least two balls for the Huskies, paced by Chandler Zinck-Marier's three receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Kade Smith (three receptions for 49 yards), Cherokee Robinson (three receptions for 45 yards), Joshua Jack (two receptions for 68 yards) and Trydell Mintis (two receptions for 14 yards) chipped in the receiving game.

Defensively the Huskies were led by three sacks from Jahmari Brown (two tackles, one sack), Liam MacDonald (1.5 tackles, one sack), Matthew Schill (3.5 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and Kallon Edwards (four tackles, 0.5 sacks) and interceptions from defensive backs Ryan Butler and Lucas Latulippe.

The Axemen were led by receiver Xander Matheson (Grande Prairie, AB) who caught four balls for 142 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Tyran Duval completed 20/29 passes for 253 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

On the defensive side, Axemen linebacker Riley Comeau (Centreville, NS) had a game-high 10.5 tackles and an interception, while linebacker Ryan Duffus (Bedford, NS) chipped in 4.0 tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Huskies win improves their record to 1-0 on the season. They'll be hit the road next weekend to visit the Mount Allison Mounties (0-0) on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. Alumni Field in Sackville, NB.

The Axemen loss drops their record to 0-1 on the campaign. Acadia will have their home opener next weekend as they host the STFX X-Men (0-0) on Saturday, August 30 at 2 p.m. at Raymond Field in Wolfville, NS.